Thinning Beets

Should I separate the plants if too many beets are growing in same clump?


ANSWER:

Yes, root crops such as beets, carrots, turnips, and onions need to be thinned to allow enough room for each vegetable to develop.

When planting these vegetables from seed, it is difficult to space the seeds accurately when planting.

Usually you will have to go back in a few weeks and thin the seedlings to the proper spacing.

Sometimes you can wait to thin until the beets can be eaten as tiny "baby beets". But if the beets haven't formed, you can at least use the little beet greens.

It can be difficult to succeed at transplanting the thinned root vegetables. Sometimes eating them is the best option!